When people try to define race, two common theories tend to develop. One theory is that race is biological. The second theory is that race is only a social construct. Both theories are correct. I believe that race is both. I also believe that race is such a complex concept that it can't be explained in this simple dichotomy.

Scientists argue continually about whether race is biological or not. I see both sides of this argument, which is possibly because I believe that those on the side that deny race as being biological are simply relying on semantics. I see that argument as, therefore, unnecessary and one that continues only because we, as humans, are universally unable to agree on anything.

The concept that race is biological seems fairly commonsensical. Caucasoid people have Caucasoid ancestors. Negroid people have Negroid ancestors. Slightly over half of all biological/physical anthropologists today believe...that human races are biologically valid. Specifically, forensic anthropologists can effectively determine the race of a person when examining skeletons. The varied opinions on this matter have led to several studies on this topic. A Stanford University study of 3,636 people gave more evidence that race is indeed biological. In this study, people’s self-identified race was a nearly perfect indicator of their genetic background. These results contradict the idea that race is only a social construct. This evidence shows that race is biological.

Even though race is apparently biological, the idea that human races are only social constructs has been the consensus for at least 30 years. The people on this side of the argument claim that the differences between the races are simply "genetic variations" and that there is no such thing as a biological entity that warrants the term 'race'. Those who argue that race is not biological motivation (a positive one) is that they have come to believe that the race concept is socially dangerous due to the face that race has so long been associated with racism. I feel like these scientists are trying, whether they know it or not, to simply get rid of the term. They have convinced themselves that race promotes racism. I think this argument is simply an argument of semantics. If "genetic variations" are biological, then so is race.

Race as a social construct also seems fairly commonsensical. In this country, there is a long history of racial issues that have less to do with biology and more to do with the assumption that these genetic differences are bad. Race does matter in this country. But not because of the obvious fact that we are different, but because this country is steeped in a history of race politics that has long used race as a basis for determining one's rights to equality under the law.

Race is everywhere in this country. It is practically staring us in the face. Race is shown to us regularly in television, films, and even our laws. Problems arise from all these methods of portrayal.

There is a long history of showing negative stereotypes in both film and television. The particular negative images used in television and films...come from a long legacy of social inequality and oppression, and their retelling strengthens these beliefs in white supremacy. By showing the negative stereotypes of minorities, the majority is able to justify the subordination of racial minority groups. When stereotypes are shown to us so regularly, negative images of racial minorities become a part of the collective consciousness.

For an example of media portrayal of negative minority stereotypes, we can look at the 1992 riot in Los Angeles. In this case the media encouraged the perception that the black community was solely responsible for the riots and disturbances, even though the police reports show that of those arrested only 36% were black. This is just one example. Many television shows and video games show an overwhelming amount of African Americans and Hispanics as...

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Transcript for Talk Show
by
Megan Reed
American Military University
PADM 510 Administrative Theory
Dr. Kristen Obst
9 May 2013
Good morning this is Megan Reed from PADM news radio station and the topic of discussion today is politics and administration when it concerns policy. My guests are Max Weber, Frederick W. Taylor and Luther H. Gulick.
Megan: I would like to open the discussion by asking a little about each of your past and what hobbies interest you. Let’s begin with you Mr....

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Racism: Just because other people do it, doesn’t mean its right.
A comparative study of racism based on the works of Gates and Rattansi.
Race and Racism in Latin America and the Caribbean
Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome. – Rosa Parks
Racism, this simple word conjures up images of abhorrence and suffering. Brother hating brother because of the colour...

...﻿Race Homework
After taking the quiz, it gives me a deeper impression of what race really is, and provide me a clear, new, and accurate understanding about how we are different. From the previous study I knew that human DNA can be traced back to Africa population, we have the same ancestry. But I have never further my thought to think about why there are differences among us.
The differences and variation of us such as skin color, height, and susceptibility to...

...Discrimination in my opinion does exist in the criminal justice system, especially when it comes to minorities. There are people who argue that discrimination don’t exist there is only disparity. Discrimination is when a person is judged by their race without reference to their behavior or qualifications. Disparity is when something is inequality or a difference. Being a minority my peers and I have encountered some discriminatory actions from Americans. Rather they believe it...

...Race is a biological meaning, creating division between humankind. This happens when people are called, White, Black, Brown or Asian. Gender is the attribute that is given to males and females to distinguish between the two categories. Both race and gender are socially constructed. Race and gender intersect in the formation of identities in which race they fit in and what gender they fit in. There are ways to get out of dominate racial...

...individuals of the same race. Also, racial groups are defined by their physical differences and ethnic groups are defined by their cultures. Using these definitions there is clearly a distinction between the two terms. Why this distinction exists is probably so that society can categorize the individuals they are discussing. What is important is that racial groups are inherently who a person is so although it may be hidden or changed at times based on the individual, a...

...﻿ Race is a biological entity, but it has been proven that the concept of race can be constructed or manipulated by societies that even though since an anthropological and biological perspective the barrier between races is very clear. Ethnicity isn’t a societal concept founded by the color of skin, since everyone knows individuals of the identical race have variations of skin color. For example in European circles, Middle Easterners...

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“Race”
James Baldwin once said, “I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also so much more than that. So are we all.” When the subject of race comes up, I feel like that quote is very meaningful. According to class lecture, race is an arbitrary social classification of clearly bounded categories based on skin color which corresponds to no biological reality. To be able to understand race today,...